THE government has assured the public that it is strictly implementing a new guideline to prevent baggage pilferage and other irregularities at airport facilities.
This include the use of body cameras among ground handling personnel and the installation of additional closed-circuit television cameras at the baggage conveyor area.
The new guideline for baggage handlers: (1) personnel uniforms must not have pockets, (2) boots or shoes must not be loose, (3) concerned personnel are no longer allowed to bring or use cellphones while on duty, and (4) are not likewise allowed to wear jewelry.
At the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, all screening officers were reminded of a “No Touch policy, which means that only passengers are allowed to touch and inspect their belongings during screening procedures.
The Manila International Airport Authority imposed the policy in 2016 following the controversial issue of bullet-planting scheme, allegedly being done by erring airport personnel to extort money from unsuspecting passengers.
MIAA general manager Eddie Monreal said more CCTVs were installed at the security screening areas to closely monitor screeners and passengers alike.
Recently, Transportation chief Arthur Tugade directed all airport personnel to refrain or stop from opening the bags and luggage of returning overseas Filipino workers and those who will spend vacations in Manila.
He reiterated the directive that President Rodrigo Duterte himself issued in order to address reports of baggage pilferage in airports.
“Don’t open the bags of our OFWs and tourists. Stay away from any action or perception of corruption,” said Tugade.
Tugade made the remark following an incident involving a Korean couple whose valuables—a wrist watch and electronic cigarette—reportedly went missing at the Clark International Airport. The incident went viral on social media.
In a statement, the Office of Transportation Security, which administers screening procedure at the airports, belied the allegation and said the Facebook viral post is “false and inaccurate.”
A CCTV video footage showed that no e-cigarette or vaping device was placed on the tray, contrary to what was stated in the Facebook post. A female OTS staff could also be seen handing a watch over to the couple immediately after she saw it and picked up the item from the X-ray screening area.
The security footage, provided by Clark International Airport Corp., further showed that there was no indication of misconduct, ill-intent or malice on the part of the screening officer.
“After review of the airport’s CCTV footage of the event, it was revealed that two Korean nationals, a male and female, were rushing towards the escalator, while a female OTS security screening officer can be seen picking an item that appeared to be left behind at the X-ray conveyor belt. The latter subsequently held the item in the air in an apparent attempt to call the attention of its owner. The male Korean passenger eventually claimed the item from the screening officer,” the OTS statement read.
OTS administrator Arturo Evangelista also noted that the security of the riding public is the agency’s utmost concern, urging the public to refrain from making hasty conclusions about such incidents.
Customs personnel also denied extortion claims of the female Korean passenger.
Meanwhile, CIAC president Alexander Cauguiran and Customs Port of Clark collector Maritess Martin reported that the items brought by the couple include a branded ladies’ bag and assorted cosmetics valued at USD$677, or P35,000, which is more than the P10,000 regulation or the de minimum value taxable under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.